BACK FROM GALLIPOLI.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1620, 5 October 1916, Page 3

BACK FROM GALLIPOLI.

PUBLIC WELCOME TO FATHER DORE. Captain-Chaplain Dore, who was among the wounded and invalided from the front that arrived in New Zealand last week, returned to Foxton on Saturday night. At the outbreak of war, Father Dore was in charge of the Foxton parish, and was one of the Jirst to offer his services as a. chaplain at the front. He left New Zealand with the Main Body of the Expeditionary Force, and was ministering to the sick and wounded on the blood-stained Gallipoli Peninsula for many months. Father Dore’s self-sacrificing and splendid work on the battlefields endeared him to all with whom he (mine in contact, and many letters have been received by parents of boys at the front in all parts of the Dominion in which mention is made of Ids noble work. For gallantry on the held, Father Dore was awarded the Military Cross. Whilst assisting a wounded soldier, Father Dore was himself wounded, and was invalided to England, where he was in hospital for some monlbs. The nature of the wound affected the use .of his legs, and at present he is ouIv able to get about on crutches. He visited Foxton to see old friends and to deliver messages to relatives in this district from soldiers be had been with on the battlefields of Gallipoli. Lather Dore is still under medical care, and could only remain in Foxton for two days, but opportunity was Liken to accord him a, public welcome and to thank him for Ids excellent work as a. chaplain of the New Zealand Forces. The function was held in the Coronation Hail ' on Tuesday night, and despite the short notice, the building was tilled 11ms giving a further proof of the very high esteem in which he is held by all sections of the commanit v.

The Mayor presided, and explained Iha t the function hud been arranged at short notice to welcome Chaplain-Captain Dure, back to New Zealand, and said that the large attendance was evidence of the esteem in which he was held. Everybody had heard of the gallant deeds and self-sacrificing work of Father Dore on the battlefields, and personally he considered it an honour to be privileged to preside at the gathering. He referred at some length to the guest’s work as a chaplain, and on behalf of the citizens of Foxton extended a hearty welcome home to him, and expressed t he hope that he would soon be restored to health again. Messrs I*. Henncssy and P. G. Jackson and Mrs Luke (Mayoress of Wellington) also spoke of the good work done by Lather Dore, and expressed the hope that he would soon enjoy his usual health. The iicv. Father Cronin replied on behalf of Chaplain-Captain Dore, who was not equal to the physical exertion of making a speech. He expressed thanks for the very hearty welcome extended, and for the many manifestations of goodwill by the citizens of Foxton.

During fhe evening vocal items were contributed by Ales dames Gilder and freeman, Misses Bryant and .Signal, and Messrs Aitken, Hooker and Hornblow.

The meeting terminated with the singing of “for He’s a Jolly Good fellow,” followed by three rousing (rimers for Chaplain-Captain Dore.